Caine Walks a Tightrope Over Iran War Plans
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, is quietly weighing Iran strike options for President Trump while avoiding direct clashes with him and trying to preserve nonpartisan military advice. He has coordinated a large buildup of U.S. forces in the Middle East but cautions against a large, complex operation with high casualty risk, and he often resists pushing a single course of action. His juggling act—loyal to Trump but wary of politicizing the military—unfolds amid friction with Hegseth and Miller and ongoing debates over civilian control and the ethics of senior leaders, leaving some observers concerned about moral injury and the long-term impact on the military.